Low Cost Home Internet Options for Low Income Families
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COMCAST
Internet Essentials
VERIZON
Federal Lifeline
RCN
Internet First
Who is a "new" eligible subscriber?
A household that hasn't
subscribed to broadband
service for the past 90 days
A household must apply for
the federal Lifeline program
to receive a discount
A household that hasn't
subscribed to broadband
service for the past 60 days
Low income families are eligible if they are enrolled in
the following programs:
Medicaid X X X
Public housing assistance (FPHA, HUD or housing
assistance payment)
X X X
SNAP (food assistance) X X X
WIC (food assistance) X X
TANF (temporary assistance) X X
NSLP (free school lunch) X X
Headstart X X
Pell Grants (student education) X
SSI (Supplemental Security Income) X X
Veterans Administration Pension X X X
VA Survivors Benefit X
LIHEAP (energy assistance) X X
Tribal assistance (including TTANF FDPIR) X X X
Low income families are eligible if their income is
135% of the federal poverty guidelines:
Less than $17,226 per year
for household of 1; less than
$23,274 for 2; less than
$29,322 for 3; less than
$35,370 for 4; add $6,048
for each additional
household member
Special Eligibility Conditions
Due to the Coronavirus
emergency, Comcast will
allow households that
owe past debt but apply by
June 30, 2021 to qualify
for the Internet Essentials if
they meet the other
conditions.
Must enroll in federal
Lifeline program to receive
program discount, and
MUST contact Verizon at
800-837-4966 after
installation to receive
discount. Must enroll in
autopay billing to receive
lowest cost.
Limited service area: Silver
Spring to Chevy Chase, and
Gaithersburg areas
Monthly Cost $9.95/month
With Lifeline discount of
$20/month and $10/month
for autopay enrollment,
lowest priced plan would be
$19.99/month after
discount
$9.95/month
Montgomery County MD cable service providers are offering low cost monthly Internet Service to low income residents who are new
subscribers. Customers may sign up directly with Comcast and RCN. Verizon requires enrollment in the federal Lifeline program and
contacting Verizon after installation to receive discounts.
Low Cost Home Internet Options for Low Income Families
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COMCAST
Internet Essentials
VERIZON
Federal Lifeline
RCN
Internet First
Taxes
Equipment Fees for modem and router to provide
home WiFi
None $15/month after 3rd month None
Installation Fees None
$99 installation if ordered
by phone; fee may be waived
if ordering online and using
coupon.
None
Speed 25 Mbps/3 Mbps 200 Mbps/200 Mbps 25 Mbps/3 Mbps
Subject to Credit Check No Yes No
Access to Comcast Xfinity
hotspots
Limited time promotional
offers for premium channels
$150 Acer computer with
11" screen available
Additional $10 total
discount if combined with
$70/month wireless phone
plan
COVID-19 Additional Benefits (limited time offers)
Free Service
2 months free if enrolled
by June 30, 2021
2 months free if enrolled
by June 30, 2021
Financial
No late fees or service
disconnections; debt
forgiven for new Internet
Essential enrollments by
June 30, 2021
No late fees or service
disconnections
No late fees or service
disconnections
How to Enroll
https://internetessentials.
com/
https://www.verizon.com/p
ersonal/info/low-income-
internet/
https://www.rcn.com/inte
rnet-first/
Updated February 15, 2021
Visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/OBP for additional information or assistance
No taxes on Internet service
Other
